Could You Imagine Life Without Technology

[njshadow]

Ok, when I say technology I mean some of the modern stuff, internet, cell-phones, etc. Mainly things that make our lives more convenient.

[phatlip12]

Ok, when I say technology I mean some of the modern stuff, internet, cell-phones, etc.

Don't scare me this close to my bedtime.

;)

[njshadow]

Don't scare me this close to my bedtime.

;)

LOL, your too quick! Check out teh mad pollz yo! :D

[quix]

Given that the things you used as examples are primarily technologies of convenience, I'd be fine. I'd just have to switch to using a landline instead of an IM client and the library instead of Google.

[Bohemian_Beauty]

Given that the things you used as examples are primarily technologies of convenience, I'd be fine. I'd just have to switch to using a landline instead of an IM client and the library instead of Google.

What he said. I'm perfectly fine without technology, as long as we don't stop space exploration and finding cures for all the illnesses of the world, they can have my consoles, computer and cell phone.

[gimpbully]

what would you have done (career-wise) in a time of lesser technology? Say 60 or 70 years ago.

[quix]

I'd probably be in college on the GI Bill after having returned from WWII(due to the draft.) I don't know what field I'd have gone into given that mine is fairly computer heavy, but I could see myself entering law or ending up as a professor of something.

[tokenuser]

what would you have done (career-wise) in a time of lesser technology? Say 60 or 70 years ago.Mechanical engineer.

I think the watch on my wrist sums it up best. It is a swatch - so its nothing too fancy. It has hands that point in directions to tell the time (it doesn't even have numbers) via an analogue interface. It is a skeleton watch - so the inner mechanics are exposed. It is also a self winding watch - so no batter involved. Whileever I keep moving, it stays alive ... and when the neocons destroy the world by collapsing the economy and plunging us into a new dark age, at least I will know the time my appointment is at the inquisition.

FWIW -

http://www.watchreport.com/watchreport/review_images/swatch_irony_body_and_soul.jpg

[mikec]

I'm one of the older people here, will be 47 in a few months, so I lived a good part of my life without a cell phone or internet connection. I would have to get a real phone line, use VOIP now. I remember grocery stores being open only to 9 or 10pm, banks open to only 2ish.

We had four TV stations, NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS. We had to have an antenna on the roof when we got a color TV. (Better reception, plus we were able to get some stations from Canada.) When I was a kid, many people didn't have color TV's, in fact not all shows were produced in color. I don't remember the price but when my parents got the 25" color TV it was a hefty purchase for them. Yes, probably like someone going out and getting say a $2,500 HDTV now.

I don't think we had one but I seem to remember one of our neighbors had a party line telephone, kids, Google that and be glad you live now rather then back then.

As for a job, I'm a TV engineer, TV was around in some form 60 years ago, so I would be OK. Without computers there would be a need for more people like me.

[skyz]

i would be ok

i can write music the old fashioned way on staff paper http://www.bl.uk/collections/music/images/mozartleaf2_small.jpg

[stumpy]

I'm actually going camping for four days starting tomorrow, without technology... well except my iPod (used to block out 12 year old Scouts who stay up yelling and screaming until 2 AM).

I'm just so used to have these things around... even in the woods. I'd like to think I could handle it, but I might go crazy.

[esophagus]

what would you have done (career-wise) in a time of lesser technology? Say 60 or 70 years ago.Now, I write but I absolutely hate my own handwriting, so without the computer I'd probably have found something else to do (perhaps a typewriter would have been my thing, I'm not sure). Probably act. It was something I wanted to do but gave up on fairly early in life (15 or so).

[Bohemian_Beauty]

I'd still have been a teacher I assume. ^_^

[esophagus]

Oh yeah. I forgot I'm studying to be a teacher. Maybe I'd just do that. :rolleyes:

[bigshotprof]

In class, we define technology as the artificial extension on human capabilities. If that was the definition, I would not want to think about living without it. But given the provided definition of cell phones and chat rooms and the like, I would be okay without them.The one thing I would really miss about modern tech is the access. It used to be fun living in the lbrary, but it was hard work and inefficient.

[bigshotprof]

I'd still have been a teacher I assume. ^_^

You're a teacher?! I the words of Eddie Van Halen . . . .

[phatlip12]

In class, we define technology as the artificial extension on human capabilities. If that was the definition, I would not want to think about living without it. But given the provided definition of cell phones and chat rooms and the like, I would be okay without them.The one thing I would really miss about modern tech is the access. It used to be fun living in the lbrary, but it was hard work and inefficient.

Are you a Computer Science professor big shot?

[tokenuser]

II don't think we had one but I seem to remember one of our neighbors had a party line telephone, kids, Google that and be glad you live now rather then back then.I think a party line would be a hit actually - think IRC or the whole social networking phenom (Twitter is partyline IM, Pownce is partyline blogging).

[skyz]

The one thing I would really miss about modern tech is the access. It used to be fun living in the lbrary, but it was hard work and inefficient.

exactly

google is much better for information

i love information on demand from question to answer in 60 seconds or less

[quix]

The loss of Google would probably be the most significant one for me too.

[gonzooo]

Not having Wikipedia and Google would suck. Also, having to actually attend special events to be able to enjoy any kind of media that is available at the push of a button right now would be tedious and would probably lessen my interest in it.

What I find more interesting than the original question posed is why (a lot of) people delude themselves into thinking using (or even relying on) all this great technology for everything, wasteful and needed, is bad. I've found myself in periods where I just want to drop everything that has the least bit of tech in it and just live in the woods, and while it's probably something a lot of people can relate to, it's ridiculous; there's nothing about living out in the woods without any contact with modern technology that's more honorable or better than being a tech-maniac.

[skyz]

I've found myself in periods where I just want to drop everything that has the least bit of tech in it and just live in the woods, and while it's probably something a lot of people can relate to, it's ridiculous; there's nothing about living out in the woods without any contact with modern technology that's more honorable or better than being a tech-maniac.

i'm so relieved

i thought it was co dependence :D

[quix]

What I find more interesting than the original question posed is why (a lot of) people delude themselves into thinking using (or even relying on) all this great technology for everything, wasteful and needed, is bad. I've found myself in periods where I just want to drop everything that has the least bit of tech in it and just live in the woods, and while it's probably something a lot of people can relate to, it's ridiculous; there's nothing about living out in the woods without any contact with modern technology that's more honorable or better than being a tech-maniac.

I agree completely.

[msmags]

Hmmm, I suppose it would suck to have to use an encyclopaedia or microfiche to research school projects.
I would very much miss the internet, although (as mentioned by others) I imagine I could get by. Somehow. :)

[techliveadmin]

I would get by. Always loved history, science and exploration so who knows what great wonders I would have sought?

[mikec]

I think a party line would be a hit actually - think IRC or the whole social networking phenom (Twitter is partyline IM, Pownce is partyline blogging).

Not if you mom is talking to aunt Mary about aunt Cathy's illness and a neighbor is listening in.

[tokenuser]

Not if you mom is talking to aunt Mary about aunt Cathy's illness and a neighbor is listening in.Have you been in IRC or Twitter?

[mikec]

Token, no. Don't use those. Plus back when Ma Bell offered party lines for telephone use the world was a bit different.

[tokenuser]

Token, no. Don't use those. Plus back when Ma Bell offered party lines for telephone use the world was a bit different.IRC and social networks like Twitter are the latter day equivalent of the party line. Lots of stuff said in there that would not be said in font of strangers, but is somehow vaguely acceptable behind the anonymity of a nick.